Watched a good bit of Fabio Carvalho recently. He may not feature a ton in the first squad in the PL or CL this year, given his youth (won’t be 20 until the end of August), but he has some exceptional skills. Very quick feet; sometimes flashes eyes in the back of his head for finding players and flashes some sharp goal scoring ability. He reminds me of a number of different players. Has a bit of Firminho in him with his quick feet and ball skills in traffic but is lighter and quicker. His ability to distribute makes me think of a poor man’s Messi when he has the ball midway between the top of the box and the center line. Tough call where he will play and also what Klopp will do this year. I know there has been talk of seeing more 4-2-3-1 (which he has gone to on occasion). If Elliott can return to his early season form from a year ago, that could be a bonus. He flashed a lot of skill until he got hurt. Can only imagine the offensive prowess of the occasional Elliott-Fabinho-Thiago midfield! (But I suspect that may happen in game with subs and needing a goal). Losing Mane will hurt; esp early, imo. Even though they probably needed to let him go and he wanted out, his front line aggressive D and his instincts in coming back to midfield to get the ball, as well as his calm, cool and eminently confident skills on the corner of the box will be missed. Still, young players like Diaz and even Jota, who is just starting to enter his prime at 25, will have to show improvement. They both tailed off a bit as the season went on last year. They have to be better on D; more consistent in scoring; and just more mature in coming back for the ball and playing sound all around football. We have gotten quite young with less experience up front all of a sudden with the loss of Mane, Origi, and Minamino. I am a bit concerned with how mature we will be up front in big away games against the Man City, Chelsea, Spurs and the CL. Since three of the top six are still very young in Carvalho, Diaz, Nunez, as well as relatively new to the squad; and Jota will have to at least duplicate his production and step up a bit in overall leadership. Lots of potential but it’s still potential and not quite at peak. Could explode or drop off a bit up front. I think the World Cup break could be a positive for us. One element is Egypt not making the World Cup. That means Salah will get some rest over that stretch in the fall (both mental and physical). And the break could be a positive for some of the young players who will get their feet wet, then be able to pause and let that experience sink in mentally. Of course, without the kind of depth of mature talent that Man City have, we will have to remain healthy to be competitive. If I am objective, removing my red glasses, I’d say 2nd or 3rd in the EPL and a good run but not sure how far in the CL. If the young players step up - definitely higher potential.
Wouldn’t allow YouTube shorts for the video link. But this is sweet from Harvey Elliott. He has Serious skills. https://youtube.com/shorts/HVOcaii-ttQ?feature=share
Very cool training session. I especially like the two nets and the attacker vs defender going either direction.
Well, this season hasn't gotten off to the best of starts That's six straight EPL games where LFC have not scored first going back to last season. Eventually, that will catch up to you. Surprisingly, it hasn't really caught up to LFC yet as they haven't lost any of those games (IIRC). So much to talk about so little time here. The injuries are one of the biggest issues currently facing the club. I've lost track of how many players are out. Having to start Milner and Phillips is certainly not ideal. Supposedly both Hendo and Gomez were not 100% and that's why they didn't start yesterday vs Palace. yet they were apparently both healthy enough still to be on the bench and with five subs now allowed, they were needed to come in and bring the club back to score that lone point. The Thiago injury is probably going to hurt the worst... and it now appears Diogo Jota's injury is also going to rival it to start this season. His ability to find those cracks and finish have been surprisingly missed. I say surprisingly because we've had plenty of chances, just not finishing the way we should. Lots of shots finding the post as well. Still I wouldn't expect the club to go into panic mode and sign players to help. That's just not something we like doing and it's not worked out in the past. It's about finding the right player not the player who fills a need. Yes, Darwin Nunez had a moment of stupidity. At his age, he should know better. Credit to Palace and playing hard enough to get under our skin (not just Nunez there were others as well, Robertson namely). The ref (our favorite) let them play and in those cases you get situations like this, retaliations that look worse than they really are. Andersons fall was embarrassing... I don't think I've ever seen Klopp not embrace a player coming off the field. He completely ignored Nunez as he was expelled from action yesterday. You have to hope he learns from it... it's his first start at Anfield and it's gone horribly wrong. One of the writers mentioned Joe Cole... did Cole also get a red in his first start for LFC at home? That's going back a bit So injuries, Nunez... and lastly, Mo Salah. I'm not surprised he's still struggling. It started what January/February of last season? He's still struggling. He's not playing up to his usual standards. I don't think anyone can realistically argue anything different than that last statement. And with Sadio now gone, Mo's lack of quality is only magnified. We had hoped the summer break would help him recover and get back to his best. It hasn't happened in these matches so far. We can only hope that it changes and quickly. The season is not lost, yet. But it's teetering in terms of winning the league. Four points down to City. it's a long season and with a world cup uniquely staged in the middle of it, there will be twists and turns. The positives? They are hard to find, but they are there... Luis Diaz continues to impress, even while not playing his best. He took over when we went down to 10 men yesterday. And he saved us from total embarrassment. I'm not worried about him. He does have a tendency to try to do too much in moments, but that only speaks to the players around him who aren't doing enough. Harvey Elliott has played well. He didn't look tired at all and was chasing the ball all over the field in the second half. A great sign for his development and you know Klopp will be encouraged by that. Even if some of the other midfielders come back from injury, I reckon Elliott will continue to get important minutes. Hopefully Gomez will be able to start vs United. I love Nat Phillips, but the high line that we play is not his forte. And next to Virgil (who is starting to slow down just a little), you need a player with pace (Konate or Gomez is the way forward). Lastly, hopefully Kostas was just rusty because he couldn't cross the ball for the life of him after coming in for Robbo.
There’s still time for improvement before the transfer deadline but.. both chelsea and liverpool need to make some moves. I had a feeling theyd start off flat.
I still have both LFC and Chelsea making top 4. between Tottenham and Arsenal for that last spot. I don't think LFC are going to make any adds... might even see Keita going out, latest I'm seeing
well that was frankly embarrassing for most of the game. yes we have injuries, but the issues are much deeper than that at the moment. Our veterans look tired and old... Milner, Hendo, Virgil (Can't believe I'm saying that), Firmino. having to play them for long minutes, particularly Milner and Firmino is killing us. I also fear that Klopp's message has grown tired throughout the squad.
this pretty much sums it up. I don't think he posts or read this, but he's 100% correct... BTW, if you want to follow me on twitter I'm here: @Silver_Hornet My thoughts are easier expressed in this thread, but sometimes when I'm watching the game in real time, I'll tweet about it. I let it fly last night (on the replay). So my timeline is simmering at the moment
All spot on from Simon. Thanks for sharing those. And thanks for the Twitter link. I’ll follow you. I am @SportsMDE We really do look old, slow, and emotionally flat. And agree above. Injuries hurting. No Jota and no Thiago. And if Milner is starting over Fabinho we are in big trouble. I like the attitude that Milner and Hendo bring, but their offensive skill sets are almost Nil. Virgil does seem slow. I wonder if the long, long physical and emotional grind of last season and coming up short has Had a negative carryover this year? We alsocould use a fast, good passing, offensive minded midfielder who can break down the middle of the field. Basically, De Bruyne. LOL!
I think liverpool fans found it embarrassing because manu has become some sort of running joke, meanwhile theyre working the phones trying to get antony from ajax and other players that will sure make them respectable.. liverpool fans have elite/dynasty expectations.. im not sure liverpool is a top 4 team honestly.. we will see how they come out firing tomorrow against bournemouth, i think liverpool gets the win, but if it ends up a draw, im not going to be shocked.
I mean, maybe some have elite dynasty expectations. I think most fans recognize that man city is the top team, and that Chelsea and Tottenham and arsenal are still very strong. Man you, started off so bad that I think that loss stung as a result of menus opening match. On the other hand, I don’t get your skepticism toward LFC given that this is ostensibly the same team that has played in three champions league finals in the last four years and won one; and that in the last 4 years in the EPL has finished top 4 each year, won once in a dominant season, and twice finished second going down to the final day - even having the title in their grasp with 15 minutes to go last year - losing by one point each year to one of the most dominant and arguably the most talented clubs in world football. They have their flaws and they have had significant injury issues from the beginning of the season.
Well, This Bournemouth game won’t put them into the top of the heap but it will certainly go along way toward goal differential!
we finally scored first, what was that 6 or 7 straight games of conceding the opening goal going back to last season? And I think that took a lot of pressure off the team (scoring first). Firmino ate his Weetabix apparently and played much better. Yes it's Bournemouth but I don't care. that was a very necessary win and 9-0 sends a signal to everyone. It's just what the team needed. Still hoping for a couple of incomings before the transfer window closes, but who knows? This was some weekend, my favorite teams won 9-0, 48 to 10 (albeit preseason) and Rory won today the Fed Ex Cup for the record third time. Not bad heh...
hah, Financial Fair Play? It really sucks that we compete in a league with teams that don't follow it... but worse than that is that they aren't punished for not following it... their funds are an endless pit... ours are locked up in fort knox with one key. It's really amazing that LFC have managed to win as much as they have considering.
It is VERY frustrating. Did they not believe in Financial Fair Play before? “Oh, Now we want fair play.” Of course they didn’t, given the way ManCity got away with murder.
Gomez is just too suspect on defense. Left the Newcastle striker on his side wide open early on. Fortunately no goal. Seems like he just runs back in his lane with no purpose. Will these many needed players ever get over their injuries?
I'm half expecting the Dolphins to go far in the playoffs this year as my LFC/Dolphins will balance each other out. LFC look stale. Not enough life to match the opponent's drive to beat them. For the last three years (?) we've been one of the best teams in the world. This apparent fall has happened fast or has it? the warning signs were there last season, a lot of inconsistency with great halves followed by poor halves (or vice versa). And don't even get me started on Salah. he maybe should have left with Sadio and we just use this season to rebuild. You swing and miss on a player like Mbappe and it takes a little energy out of your supposed best player.
spot on... midfield press is where it starts.. Milner is just too old to do it, Hendo is now injured. Fabinho can only do so much. Elliott is just not there yet. Carvalho is hurt now. Thiago can get back with Fabinho. Maybe Arthur can be the third MF and clean it up? It's a start.
So much for that. Even took the lead. Only to give it away late. Big problems this season. Will be lucky to finish top four at this rate. Its the quick turnovers and not being able to defend off them that are killing us. Salah continues to disappoint.
A lot of credit goes to Jurgen. He really put a lot of effort into building a strong team, so he will always be in the Liverpool Hall of Fame.
Ah yes. This is why im not so upset today after the Phins lost to the Vikings. What a WIN!!! So great. Such effort. So fun to watch a game vs City. We just matchup so well against them. So nice to see an opponent who is not afraid to possess the ball. Which plays into our ability to counter with Salah. Who was immense today on more than one occasion getting free on breaks. Much more like it from him. Hes enjoying playing narrow now and not out wide with four in the attack. yes it sucks to not have Diaz and i pray that Jota is not out for too long. He had a great game today too. Playing defense at times in his own box. He had good cover on that left side. As did Elliott on the right. The 4231 has helped. With the left and right forward covering defensively and dropping into mf at times. It can be a 442 quite easily. so many storylines. Klopp getting sent off. Im not sure if this is what finally jumps starts the season or not. Its a game by game thing. With the World Cup taking up several weeks, its just going to be an odd season. Beating City feels soo good tho.
What a win!!! That was such an incredible game. I couldn't watch it live but was able to watch it this morning without knowing the score (had to avoid twitter). So I really feel better after the Dolphins loss to be able to see that great win. Defense was fantastic! Gomez was light years better from a few games ago. Milner did a good job as well. Foden is such a threat - I don't understand why he doesn't do much with England. Man City's midfield is like an all-world all-star team with De Bruyne, Gundogan, and Silva. Even Foden is really good. And then they add Haaland to that? It is patently unfair. Glad they don't have a world class back four. They would be unstoppable. Can't believe we held them scoreless. What an effort. And Mo was much better! His playing out too wide hurt his game I think. I like they format they are using now. When Mo is in on the attack inside the edge of the box we are much more lethal. He could have had 2 goals and an assist but for an amazing fingertip save by Ederson and a missed header from Jota. Bobby played great as well. I really like him as a false 9 and moving the strikers in closer. Only negative is I think Nunez (who had a pretty good game and is a nice threat) made some poor decisions near the box. Fine with his first shot, just has to get it on goal. Should have passed it one time later on with two players wide open - messed around and got ti taken away. Then, should have passed to Carvahlo in the box. He needs to have a better feel for passing and shooting and when to do either. Still a great, great win! That crowd was electric! Maybe this will spur us on to a big streak or help us maintain that intensity. We need some big wins and a number of them if we are going to make it to the top 4. Not reaching the UCL could really hurt us in landing a top tier mid-fielder (or two). Will have to beat ManU at home and really need to take 4 points off the two games with Chelsea. That could give us a legit shot if we take care of business against other teams.
I’ve never been to a game at Anfield. I’ve been in some raucous crowds (at Alabama vs LSU both ranked in the top 5). But from a TV perspective, I don’t think there is a better home crowd than Anfield. After the Salah goal it was insane. Plus the singing is amazing.
We must get on a roll from here, Looks like Jota is going to be down until after the World Cup break. I'd say Konate is a miss, but if Gomez plays like he did yesterday, we'll be okay... getting Trent back earlier than expected is a boost. I really want to see Ramsey play. The highlights of him are solid. He's a very good player. So much was said negatively about Milner starting at RB, that we had no chance, I was regrettably a little down as well. For a third choice RB, we have to do a little better long term. But just the magic of it all yesterday, everyone came together in splendid fashion. Short week vs West Ham now... it's ripe for disappointment. We have to make sure that doesn't happen. We've dropped points on the road to them 2 out of the last 4 games. So we can't afford that now.
don't know wtf I was thinking, this game is at home... the schedule is different than the NFL, the home team and road team are switched around (top vs bottom). fools me every so often lol...
Well, that was an unbearable disaster to watch. Nottingham played well, but our offense was an absolute disaster. Total funk. Van Dijk just missed so many opportunities.
He was trying for the assist on a couple of those. Its shocking. Its almost like they are doing it in purpose. Maybe they want less games next season (no european football). Since they have limited depth in the attack? Its a stupid theory. But how can u explain beating City but losing to Forest?
Theyve thrown in the league this season. That is for sure. January must prove worthy. Mane hits that goal that Nunez misses (twice).
First of all, great win yesterday at Spurs. Having Konate back has been massive. Mo playing narrower has also been huge, him and Nunez forming a nice partnership on the first goal (and almost another one later on). Now comes news, after we have been paired against Real Madrid mind you, curious timing... that FSG are willing to sell under the right terms. Their statement reads less than that. But the article (to which I haven't been able to read as it's behind a pay wall) from the Atlantic spells out that they are indeed selling out. While this will come as great news by many in the #FSGOUT movement, be careful what we all wish for. FSG took LFC (with Klopp's help) to the greatest of heights. They moved for the best two players in the world at their respective positions, Virgil and Alisson. The grass isn't always greener... but the money sure will be
Ownership needs to sell or find a way to pursue players. But I might rather have the Argentine MF - Fernandez and go after Amraman (sp?) for perhaps less money. ? Exciting First half tonight vs Villa! So many great chances! Gotta score again. Villa can bring the offense.
